Hello!
Thank you SO much for the reviews and for reading! :) I was very nervous about this story but it is really fun to write so I hope you enjoy reading it also! Again I'm sorry for language, historical or medical facts I mess up.
The characters belong to Yamane-sensei of course.
Warnings: I think this chapter is pretty inoffensive. But mention of BDSM, language.
}xXx{
The next afternoon Asami arrives unannounced to Dr. Takaba's office, knocking on the glass paneled door and totally startling Akihito who had been studying the crime scene photos closely with a magnifying glass. He looks up to see a smirking face and casts a nervous look to his walls before getting up and jerkily walking to the door, smiling to Asami as he greets the detective good morning.
As Asami makes his way into the office, he notices just what Akihito had been so worried about. Turning his head in each direction to get a good look, he can see photographs and articles lining almost every inch of the walls, many famous cases outlined in black and white and of course, all of Asami's own cases. The door clicks shut and Akihito shifts nervously, making his way around Asami to offer him tea and hoping the man by some miracle, hadn't noticed the articles related to him.
As they both settle at Akihito's desk with the tea tray between them, Asami lights a cigarette and on the exhale, gets this meeting underway.
"I got your letter this morning, and I must admit I was surprised that there appears to be two other victims. This case is turning out to be quite intriguing isn't it?"
Akihito passes Asami a steaming cup of tea, nodding enthusiastically.
"Yesterday after I left you at the crime scene, I paid a visit to a, 'bespoke' tailor on Amaririsu Street, where I had suspected the costumes had been made. He informed me that he indeed-…"
"What? 'costumes' plural?! So the three bodies are from the same case?"
"that's correct, and I have a lead that, while it seems to be the most feasible route for us to take, I may after all, need your help."
"Yes! Please let me help."
Asami smirks darkly at the boy, the little fool has no idea what he has just signed up for and it seems as though he will be totally out of his depth. The older man though, enjoys looking into those gleaming, determined eyes, taking his time in smoking the cigarette before getting down to the serious nature of the role Akihito just blindly agreed to play.
"…OK kid just remember this, you offered to help on this case, and I need to know now if you want to back out. It will be dangerous and I will do my best to protect you, but I need your word that you will see this through once we start..."
Akihito's eyes grow large as he nods again, a fierce fire playing in those enticing hazel orbs. Oh yes, the boy pleases Asami immensely.
"Good. If that's the case we should get going, you have an important appointment…"
}xXx{
Around an hour later, just as darkness settles over Edo. The unlikely pair arrive at a plain looking store, the windows and door are blacked out and the simple plaque above the door that just reads: 'Sarutobi's.' And although Akihito is quite familiar with this street, he has never noticed this particular building before.
Akihito enters through the nondescript wooden door behind Asami and his jaw drops as he takes in the view, a total contrast from the facade he had just seen. The interior of the 'tailors' from a design point of view is certainly quite stunning, with its deep mahogany walls and rich red Persian carpet giving a luscious and expensive feel.
However, It is what the vast room holds within it that has Akihito utterly flabbergasted, for covering the walls and hanging from the ceilings, glistening in the soft candle light: is more BDSM equipment than surely a person could ever hope to use in a lifetime.
Saying a swift prayer and closing his gaping mouth, he debates whether to walk after Asami through the vast space, seeing that the taller man is already making his way casually through the shop, eventually arriving at the counter where he rings a bell just as Akihito regains full use of his legs and reluctantly follows.
A longhaired man wearing a deep purple Kimono appears through the door to the side of the counter and greets Asami cheerfully like an old friend, having seen him the previous day.
"Good afternoon Sarotobi-san, I believe my young acquaintance here has an appointment…"
Asami turns and they both observe the fine specimen before them, sharing some amusement due to Akihito's nervous disposition. The boy is currently clutching at his doctors bag like a lifeline as he dodges the hanging harnesses, chains, whips and a rather fine collection of cock cages, only to continuously bump into the various dildo's jutting out from the walls like an erotic art installation. Some gleaming, some spiked and some made from glass or robust leather, however all of them seem frighteningly large and intimidating to Akihito.
He arrives at the counter and sighs heavily, already feeling the burden of his promise to Asami - is it too late to back out? As he looks up though he realises just how screwed he truly is as there are now two sets of disturbingly mirthful eyes examining him.
He gulps audibly...
"The design we discussed yesterday, Sarutobi-san. Will suffice."
"Hmm indeed, leave it to me Asami-sama!" He claps twice and two identical petite men also wearing purple Kimono's come out of the back room and station themselves either side of Takaba, causing beads of sweat to start forming over his forehead as he contemplates just running the hell out of here... How fast can people wearing traditional Kimono and geta run anyway?
"Hiroko, Hiroto please begin with the transformation!"
With a couple more claps, Akihito's belongings are whipped away and he is steered to the large fitting room towards the back of the store, all the while the young man pleads Asami with his eyes for the man to change his mind - what are they going to do, what horrors await me? Kami-sama help!
Sarutobi leads Asami gracefully to the lounge area adjacent to the fitting room and offers his client a cigar and scotch on the rocks, at the affirmative he clicks his fingers, immediately producing another Kimono sporting young man with said items on a perfectly polished silver tray.
Checking Asami has all he needs, the eccentric shop manager sweeps off to join the others in the curtained fitting room.
This is why this place is so successful and exclusive, Asami can note with satisfaction. The discreet, cunning Sarutobi has a wonderful knack of knowing just what the customer wants, majority of the time without them knowing it themselves. Although one could argue that this has no bearing on poor Akihito's situation, he is sure that the boy had never wanted to dress as a lady for kicks. But well, needs must.
The boy in question calls out desperately to the detective, pleading his case through pained howls.
"Detec-tive Assaammii, couldn't you dress me in the s-soldier get-up? You-you're mean!"
Asami laughs around his cigar as he takes a long drag, savoring the quality tobacco and the fine voice.
"Well I had thought that at first but really Akihito, I have no desire to make you the next victim so Sarutobi had helpfully suggested this ensemble, staying away from the usual type the murderer desires and thus…" He takes another drag "…you won't be a target…"
Ok, Akihito is a little grateful for that. "Oh I see, t-thanks."
Sucker…
"Tell me kid, what does your girlfriend think of you taking time off from your real job to chase bad guys?"
"…I haven't got a-I mean, I'm not courting anybody right now."
"Hm I see…Have you ever been with a woman?"
Akihito gasps at a particularly sharp pull on his corset at that moment, he tries his best to protect his manhood by setting this nosy bastard straight. True, Akihito does sometimes feel insecure at his lack of experience, he remedies this by telling himself regularly that he has just been too busy with his career to mess around with women and everybody knows that Edo dating is just so difficult! How dare this detective assume?!...
"Wha?-you-can't just ask-bas-hrmph!..."
Alright, granted that didn't go so well. He takes a moment to compose himself.
"…Listen Asami-san I know this is news to you but a gentleman never tells!...I'll have you know you one thing though, I can give Don Juan a run for his money any day!"
Akihito Crosses his arms defiantly, regretting it instantly as Hiroko and Hiroto choose that moment to pull tightly again on his corset, causing another yelp and Akihito's eyes begin to water from the sheer pain of having his rib cage squeezed an absurd amount...
The older man chuckles, relaxing into his seat thinking about this entertaining kid. He hasn't come across such an intriguing person such as Takaba before and he is certainly fun to tease, his honest reactions and little outraged face is too cute to resist after all...Asami pulls out his pocket watch and notes that Akihito is due out from his makeover soon, he finishes the cigar, stubbing it out and straightens up for this will most certainly be entertaining and-
"Exquisite."
Curtains parting silently, an unusually shy Akihito steps forward into the antechamber where Asami sits, enraptured. For him it's not the fact that Akihito is dressed as a woman that is so captivating, rather it's that Sarutobi has outdone himself, selecting a Western Lolita style costume that promotes Akihito's own masculine beauty.
That slender neck, teasingly low neckline playing along his toned chest, a delicious looking collar bone, the corset tapering in his slim waist leading to a side slit in his dress that really, should be illegal – if it isn't already. There is just a glimpse of his black net stockings and garter belt through the high slit in the skirt, legs taught as the young man stands in heeled lace up shoes. Asami takes his time in reading every detail and making use of his photographic memory, also taking in the outfit as a whole.
The gown is a play on the current western ladies fashion, with some embellishments using the finest emerald green velvet, black lace and black leather panels running up the bodice. The green brings out the colour of Takaba's large hazel eyes and the feminine styled wig wonderfully. The finishing touch, a small veiled feathered hat placed atop his head.
He sees that hat as the cherry to a very sweet, tempting cake and Asami thinks that if there's ever a time to develop a sweet tooth, it's now.
The detective rises from his seat, startling Akihito back into reality as he had been reciting classical Japanese poetry in an effort to calm his racing heart. There is no logical explanation for the heat in his cheeks, the shaking limbs, nor being unable to meet Asami's eyes. But the impulse to flee is certainly back with a vengeance because of these uncomfortable feelings, he laughs nervously and scopes out possible exit routes.
Sarutobi, Hiroko and Hiroto all line up next to Takaba to explain just what they had done, Akihito is grateful at least that the men admit he didn't need as much work done to him as the usual candidates for any more poking and prodding may have just finished him off.
"...As you see, his leg and chest hair is so fine, as is the other area if you catch my drift Asami-sama fufu…and we applied enough make up just to bring out those eyes and those cheekbones. My goodness, I haven't had so much fun in a while!"
Asami takes one of Akihito's gloved hands in his own and places a kiss right on the knuckles, shocking the boy to the core and causing him to snatch his hand back as though burned, the skin feeling it even through the velvet glove, a tingling and warm sensation.
"Detective Asami"
"Just Asami"
"Ok - Asami why exactly am I dressed like this? You haven't really said what I'll be doing."
"Hai, this is the thing I mentioned earlier, this - is what you can do for me."
Asami pulls lightly at some of the perfectly arranged ringlets of Akihito's wig, taking a step closer, too close Akihito thinks especially as Sarutobi and his men are still here- wait what? That's not the point here! The doctor admonishes himself for getting distracted, the man just suggested…!
Akihito blushes and covers his mouth, now looking every bit like the lady he's dressed as.
"A-Asami how dare-!"
"Take it easy, sorry for getting your hopes up. - You are going to come with me to the gentleman's club 'Imperial Dragon' this evening and we're going to case it out…if all goes to plan you may even be an employee by the end of the evening."
Asami dismisses Sarutobi and his men before leading a very uncomfortable Akihito to sit on the Chaise, eventually, after five minutes of complaining and tantrums the younger man does, just perched on the very edge of the seat.
"…From what I found out here yesterday the 'army cadet' costume was indeed a special order for the imperial Dragon. Sarutobi was as helpful towards us because his stance on the entire matter is that 'the murders are a huge waste of fine garments.'"
"I-I've never heard of that place."
"I would have been shocked if you had, only a certain type of clientele frequent there."
Asami gets to his feet and holds a hand out for Akihito, which the boy really doesn't want to take but there's no way the combined assault on his body from the corset and heeled shoes will let him move freely. He begrudgingly takes the hand and rises to stand beside Asami, noting the embarrassing height difference even with three inch heels. Akihito yelps in surprise as he receives a pat on the bottom and promptly tells Asami to "get the hell off."
"Let's go, your luggage is already in the carriage."
"A-Asami how do we pay?" Akihito asks as he totters behind the detective in his heels.
"Don't worry I've already got the commission for this case so your clothes are paid for."
He looks behind him at the suffering young man meandering along.
"Come, if your good ill buy you a drink at the club…If you're old enough to drink..."
"What do you think?! I'm a doctor dammit!"
Sarutobi laughs at the odd couple as they make their way out the door. An irate young man, fists raised in protest as he tries to pummel Asami's back. And an amused Asami, happily puffing on a newly lit cigarette, saying something about ladies and their hormones…